BRADLEY’S HAUL OF FAME

Skipper Andy Bradley’s six wicket haul inspired his side to victory over Premier division leaders Woodbank and signalled a new landmark.

The off-spinner’s fifth wicket took him to an unrivalled 1,200 wickets for the first team.

The all-time club record was previously held by Bob Hinchliffe at 891, but the evergreen, if somewhat bandaged-up Bradders, keeps setting fresh milestones – and shows no sign of stopping.

With the wicket understandably proving difficult to bat on, after the previous day’s rain, Prestwich’s total of 170 gave them more than a fighting chance.

Sam Holden made an enterprising 42, taking him to 600 runs for the season, and James Wharmby hit 27, but it was Nathan Bailey’s unbeaten 28 which gave the Heys side an end-of-innings surge. He cracked two fours and a six in the final over to make those tea interval cakes taste even better.

With the slow arm duo of Chris Read (4 for 40), and Nick Kennedy (2 for 35), grabbing the lion’s share of the wickets, it was no surprise Bradley chose to open the bowling.

But not for the first time, Ryan Stanbury’s initial spell made life ultra-testing for the opposing openers. He took two wickets in his first two overs, including the scalp of pro Jonny Whitehead, and Woodbank were 5 for 2.

Bradley then removed three more frontline batsmen as he exploited plenty of lift and turn in the wicket. The experienced Steve Dearden was still at the crease though, but the introduction of the in-form Tom Scott saw him nick one to the gloves of James Wharmby for 19. This was one of five victims (four catches and a stumping) for Wharmby on the day, chalking up his 200th victim for the first team in the process.

Scott grabbed another wicket, but it was Bradley who polished off the innings, helped by a superb athletic catch from Dan Ahern at mid-wicket, as Woodbank fell for 80, giving Bradley his best-ever figures against the Bury team of 6 for 30.

It was a happy weekend for all three teams, as the 2nd XI recorded a 73-run triumph over Wythenshawe 1sts. Oliver Holt smashed an ebullient 88 in run-a-ball fashion after the side was in a spot of bother at 45 for 5. But vital partnerships with Sadam Baig (17) and Nick Carter (24no), boosted the Prestwich total to 185 for 8. Carter then put Wythenshawe to the sword with a brilliant return of 6 for 22, and the home team were dismissed for 112.

Prestwich 3rd team won a thrilling, rain-affected match against Friends Sporting – mainly thanks to their young guns.

After the experienced Tom Kelly had hit a fine 56, Prestwich were teetering perilously at 111 for 6, before a sparkling partnership of 52 developed between teenagers Tom Robinson (26) and Liam Hunt (27) put them back on track. Another teenager Max Rogers then hit a superb 20 not out from 19 balls, and with 15-year-old Alex Quigley’s brief cameo, the total spiralled to a most pleasing 199.

A break for rain meant the target was reduced to 141 from around 23 overs, and Friends Sporting certainly weren’t going to back down from the challenge.

Robinson’s seven-over spell resulted in a fine 2-20 return, and as the visitors threw caution to the wind, young leg spinner Edward Whitehead kept his nerve to throw the ball up to the big-hitting Mathew, who was caught by Rogers in spectacular style. He ran in around 40 yards from the long-off boundary to dive full length and hold onto the ball – a catch you will struggle to see bettered all season.

With Stevie Ritchie bowling three tight overs at the end, a hard-earned victory was secured by a four-run margin under the Duckworth Lewis calculations.

Prestwich 2nd team face their biggest match of the season on Sunday when they contest the final of the Per-Fit 2nd XI Cup.
They meet Woodbank in a game to be played at Elton CC.

Meanwhile the first XI are in action on Saturday away at last year’s champions Egerton, while the 2nds are at home to South West Manchester.

The 3rd XI play face a double header against Springhead – playing away on Saturday before a home fixture against the same team on Sunday.